Construction of the Royal Castle 1478-1502 (≈ 1490)
Edited under Louis XI after annexation.
1513-1524
Strengthening the ramparts
Strengthening the ramparts 1513-1524 (≈ 1519)
Adding tricks to bosses.
1602-1606
Destruction of the castle
Destruction of the castle 1602-1606 (≈ 1604)
Sold as private property in 1780.
1636-1637
Added bastions
Added bastions 1636-1637 (≈ 1637)
Modernization of defences.
3 octobre 1929 et 10 septembre 1937
Classification of remains
Classification of remains 3 octobre 1929 et 10 septembre 1937 (≈ 1937)
Protection of ramparts and towers.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The remains of the old ramparts belonging to Mr. Calvet, Boulevard Perpreuil: inscription by order of 3 October 1929; Two towers of the old castle and adjacent parts of the rampart; old ditches located forward to the boulevard grid (part between ABCDA letters on the plan annexed to the order); Comédie bulwark comprising the round road, the wall, the salient with its scauguette, the round tower, the ditch with the buildings that are there up to the grid (part between the letters CDEFC on the plane); tower that rises at the corner of Saint-Martin and Saint-Nicolas Boulevards and ditch forward to the grid (part between the letters GHIJG on the plane); Women's rampart from Avenue de la République to Rue Maufoux including the round road with trees, the wall, the large tower, the ditch to the national road (boulevard de Bouze) (part between the letters KLMNOK on the map); Hospital rampart comprising the round road, the wall, the half-round tower and the ditch (part between the letters PQRSP on the plane); Madeleine rampart comprising the wall, the large tower with its circular turret and the forward ditch (part between the letters TUVXYT on the plane); the isolated round turret; bulwark of the Castle comprising the round road, the salient with schauguette, the semi-round tower and the ditch to the grid along the boulevard (part between the letters ZWABZ on the plan): inscription by decree of 10 September 1937
Key figures
Louis XI - King of France
Sponsor of the castle and reinforcements.
Origin and history
The fortifications of Beaune form a defensive ensemble built mainly after the annexation of the Duchy of Burgundy to the Kingdom of France by Louis XI. The king had a castle erected between 1478 and 1502, while the existing enclosure was reinforced by four boulevards (Daughter Towers, Grosse Tour, Lady Towers and Cordeliers). This work is part of a desire to secure the city, now the frontier of the kingdom. The current remains include four towers of the castle, portions of ramparts, and partially preserved ditches.
Between 1513 and 1524, the walls were thickened and four large bossed towers were added, sometimes incorporating older structures such as the Calvet Tower or the Hôtel-Dieu Tower. A third campaign, in 1636-1637, saw the addition of five polygonal bastions, modernizing the defences in the face of artillery developments. At its peak, the enclosure had seven or eight doors, reduced to four under the Old Regime. The castle, repaired during the League, was finally destroyed between 1602 and 1606, its location being sold to private individuals in 1780.
In the 18th century, the ramparts were gradually transformed into walks and green spaces, despite urban breakthroughs that opened gaps in the walls. Unlike Dijon, Beaune escapes a systematic debastion. The remaining parts, representing 3/4 of the original perimeter, were protected by orders in 1929 and 1937. Today, we still distinguish the boulevards Perpreuil, Saint-Martin, Saint-Nicolas, as well as the ducal towers and bastions, such as that of the Bretonnière.
The protected elements include round paths, ditches, and towers such as those of the Ladies or Madeleine, with their scald or circular turret. These remains illustrate the three major phases of construction: the royal castle (late 15th), the bossing towers (early 16th), and the bastions (mid 17th). Their preservation offers a rare testimony of Burgundy military architecture, marked by the transition between the Middle Ages and the modern era.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review